The Denver Nuggets secured an exhilarating 131-126 win towards the LA Lakers to climb as much as the second seed within the Western Convention.
Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic led the way in which for the Denver Nuggets because the duo added 54 factors in a intently fought recreation towards the damage riddled Lakers.
Regardless of having the likes of LeBron James and Luka Doncic out of the lineup, the LA Lakers facet seemed relentless with Austin Reaves and Dalton Knecht main the road for them.
The duo mixed for 69 factors, however Nuggets’ late recreation brilliance together with a clutch three from Murray helped the crew from the Mile Excessive Metropolis seize the win.
Nevertheless, coach Michael Malone was not impressed together with his crew’s efficiency and said they wanted to strategy the sport with urgency after one other poor defensive first quarter.
Murray and Jokic took solely 32 photographs within the recreation towards the Lakers mixed, making simply over 50% of them.
Whereas Russell Westbrook got here off the bench had 16 photographs, the star duo should be taking pictures greater than him.
Talking within the post-game press convention, Malone stated: “To be trustworthy Joker taking pictures solely 16 photographs, Jamal taking pictures solely 16 photographs, I gotta get these guys extra subject aim makes an attempt.
“I gotta get these two guys 20-25 photographs a recreation, straightforward and that’s no disrespect to anyone else, however I imply we’d like these guys to hold our offensive load.”
Malone was additionally not happy with the Nuggets effort within the win towards the Lakers, who had their star duo of Doncic-James and different key gamers out.
“This isn’t a magnificence pageant, we don’t get rated on our wins, it’s a win.
“Clearly a variety of issues we could be higher at, the rebounding 19 for 20 factors is a large concern, we gave one other 19 up by turnovers in order that’s 39 factors we allowed simply off of offensive rebounds and turnovers,” added Malone.
Jokic and Murray have performed collectively for the Nuggets slightly below a decade, however they’ve already cemented their legacies as all-time greats in franchise historical past.
Jokic goes for his fourth MVP, however he’s additionally serving to the Nuggets earn a prime two end within the Western Convention.
Murray has levelled up because the begin of 2025, averaging 22.6 PPG and taking pictures at an environment friendly 49.6% from the sector and 42% from three level vary.
The Canadian has all the time stepped up for the Nuggets within the playoffs and with Jokic on his facet, the duo might be robust to breakdown.
They misplaced towards the Minnesota Timberwolves within the second spherical final season, but when Murray can maintain his playoff type alive from earlier years and Jokic continues dominating, Nuggets might be the crew that comes out of the West
